Oakland Cemetery

In the 1850s, when Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery was founded, graveyards were not considered ghoulish but instead were relished as particularly serene parks. Oakland was a nineteenth-century hot spot; couples cruised the grounds in spiffy carriages and families picnicked near their forebears’ final resting places. The cemetery-as-communal-destination spirit is maintained by special events throughout the year at Oakland. In the fall, there’s Sunday in the Park (costume contest, mausoleum tours, bands, and beer); in the spring, Tunes from the Tombs (more bands and beer); and year-round, themed walking tours (not much beer).

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